His 60,903 career yards passing make Brees fourth player in National Football League history with 60,000.
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– The Raiders explosiveness on offense overshadowed what at times was an uneven and disorganized performance. Kuhn still looks like he is a good player and should be a real asset. “That’s what you need”.
The Colts originally opened as 6 point favorites against a Lions team that looks far less scary without Calvin Johnson around. Oakland’s defense resembled the old Rob Ryan Saints units as they frantically ran guys on and off the field just before the snap. Now the task is to get over that next major hump.
– As for Carr’s decision to hurdle a defender and get sent into an involuntary somersault, risking the season isn’t worth a first down. “We didn’t back down from that”. I distinctly remember the play that Carr had well over 4.5 seconds to throw. The incoming veterans Irvin, Nelson and Smith have also filled that void.
“For us, it’s all about competition”, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. His defense ranked 31st in yards allowed last season. Can Cooper become a more potent target in his second professional season?
“It’s insane the jump that’s it’s been each year”, he said. “Seeing him all the time in college and knowing how capable he is and having him on my team, you kind of take it for granted until you’re playing against him”. Cooks (6-143-2TD) and Snead (9-172-TD) picked up right where they left off from last season, while rookie Michael Thomas had 6 receptions for 58 yards. He passed for over 200 yards and two scores in the first half, but the Raiders scored on a Latavius Murray rush and the score stands at 17-10.
Del Rio is going into his second season and thinks it’ll only help to have a staff that remained largely stable in the off-season.
SOLID SECONDARY: Ever since GM Reggie McKenzie took over the team in 2012, cornerback has been a major problem.
DJ Hayden, a former first-round draft pick, replaced Smith and was picked on by Brees with aplomb.
The Raiders had no answers on the outside, especially in dealing with Cooks.
Brees said he plans to play longer than two years, and originally hoped to sign a deal that would ensure he would be a Saint for the duration of his career.
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HOME SWEET HOME: The Raiders once again enter the season with uncertainty about their long-term future. After all, it’ll certainly be easier to sell a move to Las Vegas with a winning team than a mediocre one. Previously the longest scoring offensive play was a 90-yard touchdown from Billy Joe Hobert to Eddie Kennison vs. Atlanta on October 10, 1999.
